Manhattan island, in N.Y. County, part of N.Y. City - Tuesday, October 1st -
An overnight migration that came in starting the night of Sept. 30th, into the morning of Oct. 1st was widely-noted with a great many birds choosing to sit down for feeding and rest, although there had also been a good lift-out of migrators on Monday night, so that some species were diminished in number by Tuesday. As is quite typical, many observations came from Central Park with multiple not-for-profit guided bird walks being made, with scores and scores of total participants in those, plus great numbers of independent walkers observing and photographing birds throughout the day. There was a good deal of migration activity and diversity seen in all parts of Manhattan - and for those who got to them, also on the other main islands in N.Y. County - Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands, on Tuesday. An American Pipit was at least one bird lingering on, as were some Bobolinks, at the habitat good for those species out on Governors Island to Tuesday, Oct. 1. A Blue-winged Teal continued for Tues. at -The Pool- in Central Park, with a bit of a surprise as more than a dozen Green-winged Teal - a sizable increase of that species showed at that same modestly-sized waterbody. The Green-winged Teal movement was not confined there, with more than twice that number having shown around Governors Island in N.Y. Harbor on the same day. Other waterfowl may have increased very slightly, such as for the numbers of N. Shovelers, and perhaps of some other dockage. A single Hooded Merganser was also continuing at Central Park as were some Wood Ducks. Philadelphia Vireo was reported from Central Park again for Oct. 1st, and a Marsh Wren was widely photographed or observed. The other vireo species seen more widely all around Manhattan were Blue-headed, with a scatter of Red-eyed Vireos. However the rarer vireo on Manhattan, in most any year, a White-eyed Vireo - a species which has, somewhat rarely, been documented as attempting to and wintering in N.Y. City in the past - was seen and photographed where that bird had been recently seen in Central Parks north end - by some butterfly-garden plantings. Other wren species more widely seen around Manhattan included Winter and Carolina, with at least a few lingering House Wrens seen as well, indeed a subtle push of some of the latter as they begin to clear out of the region. Warblers were in fair to good numbers for some species around Manhattan, while a high number of that tribe also moved on by Monday night, off to spend their winter months in warmer climes. Palm Warbler once again was the leader in overall numbers, as seen in some of the more appropriate large patches of prime habitat. In other kinds of habitat, Common Yellowthroat were again numerous, while there was still only a small uptick of Myrtle a.k.a. Yellow-rumped Warblers in this county so far. Some of the September species of warblers may have mostly, or even totally moved on, however late individuals of any could still show. There have not been any reports of Connecticut Warbler - which had a very strong September showing in the county - for most-recent days, in Manhattan or any of the other islands of the county. Both species of Kinglets were seen, with Ruby-crowned still leading in numbers over Golden-crowned and more of each sure to show as this month continues. A very few getting-late Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have shown in the county, with at least 2 on Manhattan to Oct. 1st. Thrush species still being seen have included more and more Hermit Thrush, and by Tuesday, rather less of any of the others, however Gray-cheeked types, and Swainsons Thrush were both still around as were a small fraction of Veery and some Wood Thrush as well. Of mimids we have seen an increase in Gray Catbird - a species that often attempts wintering in some sites on Manhattan, but the most go on to warmer locations as fall migrations continue, also being seen are numbers of Brown Thrasher, and as is usual, plenty of N. Mockingbirds, including those not in larger parks. Cedar Waxwings are still moving and some lingering at particularly rich feeding sites. Numbers of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks continue and there was a bit of an added push of Indigo Bunting, fairly subtle as none are in high-breeding color, and indeed many are very plain looking now and are not that likely to vocalize a lot. We can all continue to be on-watch for Blue Grosbeaks which are typical of this time of the year as migrant-vagrant sorts of birds in this county, and may show just where Indigo Buntings also like to feed or linger. Numbers of Scarlet Tanager had dropped off with the latest exodus but were still present to Tuesday. Baltimore Oriole has continued to appear, and the latter is a species that fairly-regularly attempts to stay late into the year, in modest numbers, with winter sightings of course rather scarce. The vast majority of those move much farther south as cold, poor weather, and limited foods push them onwards. Following is a list of some of the species found around Manhattan for the first day of October - Atlantic Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan - few, sometimes visible from upper-east Manhattan, these are also seen at times from Randalls Island in N.Y. County Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal - as well-noted from Central Park, at The Pool, ongoing on 1st day of October. Northern Shoveler - slight increases. Gadwall Mallard American Black Duck Green-winged Teal - strong influx and movements of this species, with many in Central Park of a sudden. Hooded Merganser - early-arriver still present for many weeks, in Central Park, often at The Pool and occasionally moving to the C.P reservoir. Ruddy Duck - few, presumed very recent arrivals. feral Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo - present in at least one location to Oct. 1st. Chimney Swift - much reduced, but still passing thru. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - still lingering or passing thru on Manhattan. Spotted Sandpiper Laughing Gull - less regular now but some around the waters of Manhattan. Ring-billed Gull American Herring Gull - incidentally this full common name will soon be standardized in usage for all of the world, distinguishing it from other taxa which have been separated and are going to be given their own common and scientific names and used for the future on world lists, and in the newest field guides and other books, etc. - this is a part of changes where we also will be seeing, amongst other new names, the Northern House Wren, which is what we have breeding and migrating in N.Y. City, and all around our region. Great Black-backed Gull Common Loon - few, but some were already pushing thru in September, as migrating flybys. Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret - one to Oct. 1st getting slightly late for this county, many of the species are gone from the county, by now. Green Heron - still present but will be expected to disappear from our area fairly soon, as many individuals already have. Black-crowned Night-Heron Black Vulture - ongoing for those who attempt to spot, mainly seen off n. Manhattan, and regularly with the more usual Turkey Vultures. Turkey Vulture - numbers in select sky-watch locations. Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Coopers Hawk Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - slight increases, this species was also present all summer in a few Manhattan locations - as NON-breeders. Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Yellow-shafted Flicker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Wood-Pewee - lowered numbers, with far more E. Phoebes starting to come along. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - still being reported, now down to very few, and rather few of the entire genus of Empidonax in Manhattan. Least Flycatcher - also still being reported, with comment as per the preceding. Eastern Phoebe - many. White-eyed Vireo - seen at Central Park, again in same area one had lingered in Sept. - photographed on Oct. 1st. Blue-headed Vireo - more numerous than all other vireos by now. Philadelphia Vireo - reported again, at least from Central Park. A good season for this less-commonly seen species. Red-eyed Vireo - fewer than in September. Common Raven Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Tree Swallow - flyovers. Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch - ongoing as had been for many weeks, perhaps a very few newly-arrived as well. White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - few - and also some on the other islands in the county recently, into October 1st. House Wren - fewer, but a small new wave of migrant individuals showing in some sites. Winter Wren - slight increases. Marsh Wren - ongoing at Central Park, at least. A good recent showing of this species for N.Y. County. Carolina Wren - ongoing in some sites. European Starling Gray Catbird - increased and also many have been departing, as some move south quickly. Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Veery - a species that ought best be photographed in October or any later months. Gray-cheeked Thrush - small numbers were still passing. Bicknells Thrush - we have no verifiable reports, although in September any number of gray-cheeked-type thrushes -may have- pertained to this scarcer-overall species. Swainsons Thrush - fewer now. Hermit Thrush - modest increases, and sure to increase further soon. Wood Thrush - most have moved south, some still seen to Oct. 1st. American Robin - ubiquitous, and many on the move as well. Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch Purple Finch - not many, so far this season. American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow - Clay-colored Sparrow may have moved on, but can continue to be sought, and hopefully photographed, during October. Field Sparrow Dark-eyed -Slate-colored- Junco - more were arriving and many more expected in this month. White-throated Sparrow - more arrivals. Savannah Sparrow - not that many now for Manhattan island, but still in numbers on the other islands of N.Y. County to Oct. 1st. Song Sparrow - increased with migrating birds joining in the fray with some local-breeders or in other locations as now-winterers. Lincolns Sparrow - fewer, but still being seen on Manhattan. Swamp Sparrow - increased further. Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Scott's Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle - small numbers have been arriving lately, and many more will be this month. Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Common Yellowthroat - increased all around the county. American Redstart - much diminished in numbers now. Cape May Warbler Northern Parula - numerous, but many also moved on overnight on Monday, Sept. 30th. Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler - getting late. Yellow Warbler - slightly late, however this species is now seen, rarely, very late in the year in recent times. Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler - the most numerous warbler, and 2 forms are being found, as is expected for fall. Pine Warbler Myrtle a.k.a. Yellow-rumped Warbler - still not-yet the major arrival of this species. Prairie Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting - a subtle and not well-noted migrational push of additional birds in drab plumages. There were likely at least a few other species in addition to the above around Manhattan on Oct. 1st - and certainly some additional / other species in the county, on 3 other islands. Thanks to the many keen, quiet, courteous observers, including the large numbers joining not-for-profit guided walks with their multiple leaders, as well as many independently walking and photographing birds, and offering reports in the non-X alerts such as Discord and as usual with many eBird reports including alerts, and to the Macaulay Library for the all-media archives. For so many sightings from a nice early-autumn day in this area. Good October birds to all, and a wish for peace to all as well. Tom Fiore manhattan -- (copy & paste any URL below, then modify any text "_DOT_" to a period ".") 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